Structure Legend
Structure
Transitive・Intransitive
を落とす・が落ちる
To drop・To fall
をつける・がつく
To attach・To be attached
を見つける・が見つかる
To find・To be found
を下げる・が下がる
To lower・To be lowered
Details
Register
Standard
使用域
一般
About 他動詞・自動詞
The two most fundamental divisions that can be made with Japanese verbs are transitive verbs - the subject is moving/acting upon something else, and intransitive verbs - the subject themself is moving/acting. Sometimes these terms are simplified even further to 'other-move' (transitive), and 'self-move' (intransitive).
Basically, this is the difference between verbs that require an object marked with を (transitive verbs), and those that only require が, to show that the subject itself is moving (intransitive).
In Japanese, there are many transitive/intransitive pairs of verbs, and these will need to be memorized.
Basically, this is the difference between verbs that require an object marked with を (transitive verbs), and those that only require が, to show that the subject itself is moving (intransitive).
In Japanese, there are many transitive/intransitive pairs of verbs, and these will need to be memorized.
- ローソクを消す。To put out a candle.
- 風でローソクが消える。For a candle to be put out by the wind.
- 木からバナナが落ちる。The banana fell from the tree.
- 木からバナナを落とす。To drop a banana from a tree.
Fun Fact
In Japanese, the two ways in which all verbs can be described are an act/motion (動作), and an act/motion upon something (作用).Fun Fact
Although they are not traditionally grouped this way, する and なる may also be thought of as a transitive/intransitive pair. This is due to する always implying that something is being controlled (acted upon), while なる always implies that something happens on its own, or cannot be controlled.- 来年からアメリカに住むことにした。From next year I am going to live in America. (I have decided to live in America starting next year)
- 来年からアメリカに住むことになる。From next year I am going to live in America. (I will be living in America starting next year due to work/school/family matters beyond my direct control)
Examples
試合を始めた・試合が始まった
I started the match • The match started.
忘れ物を見つけた・忘れ物が見つかった
I found the lost item • The lost item was found.
虫を集めた・虫が集まった
I gathered bugs. The bugs gathered.
探していたカバンを見つけた。
I found the bag that I had been looking for.
犯人が見つかった。
The criminal has been found.
Get more example sentences!
Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.
Self-Study Sentences
Study your own way!
Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.
Online
Mastering Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
Learn Japanese Online
Mastering Transitivity Pairs
Cure Dolly [video]
Transitive and Intransitive Patterns
Bunpro Community
Offline
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 6 & 12
Genki II 1st Edition
Page 116
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 144
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 62
Track Resources!
Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.
他動詞・自動詞 – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (24 in total)
EdBunpro
About 2 years ago
Every time that thread gets linked I feel chills run up my spine
Superpnut
About 2 years ago
First thing first this grammar point should have a giant warning label that says hard on it.
I’ve spent about an hour trying to wrap my head around what a transitive and intransitive verb is but honestly I couldn’t even give a bad explanation if you put a gun to my head. But the reviews themselves aren’t that bad it’s just which one makes sense. But I have a question on a review question I got and I don’t even know if it pertains to shit topic but I got it while cramming this lesson.
nekoyama
About 2 years ago
With 見つける the thing that is found would be the object marked with を, so that’s why the が points at 見つかる where the subject is what’s found (and there is no object).
But you have the English translation off in the screenshot. I guess without that information, it is actually ambiguous after all. The が only helps if you know that the 犯人 is supposed to be what’s being caught (found).
Got questions about 他動詞・自動詞? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!
Join the Discussion